?Chapter 130:


    The light hit Eric’s eyes, prompting him to shield them with his hand, his irritation evident. “Hadley, are you trying to blind me?”


    Hadley found herself at a loss for words.


    Was it really Eric standing there?


    Ignoring her initial instinct to withdraw, she directed the shlight more intently toward him.


    A closer look confirmed it was indeed Eric.


    She wasted no time and turned to flee.


    “Hadley!”


    Eric quickly stepped forward and caught her long ponytail. “Where do you think you’re going?”


    Hadley stumbled back, her face tightening in pain as he pulled her hair.


    She inhaled deeply, steadying herself before demanding, “What are you doing here?”


    Eric let out a quiet, almost indifferent chuckle, making no effort to exin himself. Instead, he gestured toward the door and ordered, “Open it.”


    Hadley hesitated, momentarily thrown off.


    Was he expecting toe inside?


    Reluctantly, she protested, “If you need to say something, say it here.”


    “Open it!” Eric’s patience frayed as he red at her. “Must I repeat myself?”


    Recognizing the intensity of Eric’s mood, Hadley decided to defuse the tension byplying.


    She unlocked the door, and Eric entered without uttering a word.


    “It’s so dark in here. Aren’t there any lights?”


    Quick to address his growing annoyance, Hadley stepped in and turned on the main light, finally brightening the room.


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    The apartment felt tiny, especially with Eric’s imposing presence making the cramped space feel even smaller.


    Silently, he surveyed the room.


    Itprised a single bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a tiny bathroom.


    Despite being advertised as a one-bedroom apartment, the spaces merged, with the kitchen by the entrance and only the bathroom isted.


    Was this really a ce for living?


    It was smaller than a single room in his expansive Silver Vis property.


    The apartment’s only redeeming feature was its cleanliness and order.


    Yet, Eric saw it as nothing more than an eyesore, regardless of its state.


    Abruptly, he turned, fixing Hadley with a severe look.


    “What’s this about?”


    Taken aback, Hadley momentarily hesitated. “You see, this is the apartment where I live.”


    “I’m aware,” Eric responded coldly. “I want to know why you choose to live here.”


    Confused, Hadley suppressed a sigh. Sarcastically, she exined, “This is all I can afford.”


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